SAN DIEGO — This past weekend our nation celebrated Veteran's Day, but caring for our heroes is a year-round commitment.
In this Zevely Zone, I went to Sorrento Valley to circle up with the nation's finest at the non-profit Resounding Joy.
Banging on a drum feels good and so does fellowship for veterans. "Go ahead take another breath in and out," said music therapist, Tia Mae Frostrom. "Breath it in and out."
Every veteran in the room carries trauma, but for one hour those troubles are beaten away.
"There's no judgement you come in here and relax and let the rhythm take you," said Jen Hiett who served in the Navy for 13 years. "You don't have to be a percussionist; you don't have to drum experience we were all in the womb with our mother's heartbeat we all have rhythm."
Resounding Joy was born out of the desire to bridge the gap in the accessibility of music therapy services.
Recognizing that many individuals lacked the means to access these services through for-profit entities, the nonprofit was established to fill this void.
"Oh yeah, I brought a lot of trauma," said James Swift who fought wars in the Army and calls this program a vacation from PTSD. "Music has a way of penetrating the soul and really bringing out those emotions and letting one express themselves without any kind of judgment," said James.
Resounding Joy achieves its goals through a diverse range of funding sources, including grants, corporate support, foundations and the generous contributions of individual donors.
"It just brings me joy to see them be joyful and be able to spread their wings and really appreciate and express themselves," said Tia Mae Frostrom who is a certified music therapist.
Sounds of Service is Resounding Joy's way of recognizing and addressing the special needs of military service members, veterans, first responders and their families through music therapy. "Watching them engage with the music therapist whether and react to the music and make music themselves whether they are hitting a drum it's unbelievable," said Kerri Fox who is Resounding Joy's Executive Director and CEO.
President Obama once joined the drum circle at Walter Reed Hospital.
"They are fantastic for me," said Maria Theresa Larsen who served in the Air Force during the Vietnam era. "I've been diagnosed with Parkinsons, that's why you see the shake, I call it the chihuahua syndrome because I shake when I get excited, and I shake when I get nervous." Those shakes go away when the veterans circle up. "I think this program is fantastic in all ways," said Maria Theresa. "It feels great," said Jen. "Anyone who wants to help humanity should give some money to this program."
There's just something special about watching the heroes of our country find their groove. Resounding Joy is hosting a special benefit event in Point Loma on December 2, which serves three purposes: to celebrate the legacy and retirement of Barbara Reuer; to commemorate the organization's 20th anniversary; and to officially welcome Kerri Fox as its new leader. VIP tickets are priced at $100, while standard tickets are available for $50. For more information click here.